Fluid heater cleaner



Feb. 2, 1937. F. BOWERS 2,069,574

FLUID HEATER CLEANER Filed Dec. :5, 1935 v'sheets-sheet 1 ATTO RN EYFeb. 2, 1937. F BQWERS 2,069,574

FLUID HEATER CLEANER Filed Dec. 3, 1955 '7 sheets-sheet 2 INVENToR Okfw/K @o weks ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1937. F, BOWERS FLUID HEATER CLEANERFiled DeG. 3, 1935 7 Sheets-Shes?l 3 ATTGHNEY Feb. 2, 1937. F. BOWERS2,069,574

FLUID HEATER CLEANER A ff@ BYTKMSMQQM ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1937. F. Bowr-:Rs2,069,574

FLUID HEATER CLEANER Filed Dec. 3, 1935 4 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 o2 INVENTOR9/ Meng/t Bow KS C?. .8. 8/ vEY ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1937. F. BowERs FLUIDHEATER CLEANER Y Filed Dec. 5, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 lmnx\\\\\\\\\\\\\vll/lm i Q Q ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1937. F. BOWERS 2,069,574

FLUID HEATER CLEANER Filed Dec. 5, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 I /JO 40./ lr

"W @ya INVENTOR PRH/VA Howeks ATTO RNEY Patented Feb. 2, 1937 PATENTOFFICE FLUID HEATER CLEANER.

Frank Bowers, Detroit, Mich., assigner to Diamond Power SpecialtyCorporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Mlchinn ApplicationDecember 3, 1935, SerialvNo. 52,687

24 Claims.

- This invention relates to a. fluid heater cleaner of the type adaptedto discharge jets of cleaning fluid adjacent portions of the uid heaterto be cleaned.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a uid heatercleaner of the above mentioned character in which the blower elements,the means for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to the blowerelements, and the means for moving the blower elements may all belocated within the fluid heater with which the cleaner is associated.

'Ihe invention has as a further object the provision of a fluid heatercleaner in which effective cleaning may be accomplished with a minimumdischarge of cleaning fluid.

Still further the invention contemplates a improved arrangement ofvalves and actuating mechanisms for the same whereby the control of thesupply of cleaning fluid to the blower elements maybe convenientlycontrolled.

Numerous other objects and, advantages of this invention will becomemore apparent as the following description proceeds particularly whenreference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein- Fig. 1 is afragmentary side elevational view of an air preheater 'showing theinvention associated with the same;

Fig. 2 is a. horizontal sectional view taken sub.- stantially on theline 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3 3of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view at right angles to thesection of Fig. 3, and taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the cleaningfluid supply means for the blower element;

Fig. 6 is a sectional viewtaken substantially on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 1 1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8-is an enlarged sectional view on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 9 9 of Fig. fi;`

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view taken on the line Ill-I0 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view through two of the blowerelements forming part of the construction;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line l2 |2 of Fig.4;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the control mechanismfor the cleaner;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line M Il of Fig.13;

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view showing the 5 wiring diagram of theelectrical control means utilized with the cleaner;

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic side elevational view `of a. slightly modifiedform of construction; and

Fig. Y 17 is a view similar to Fig. 15 showing a m slightly modifiedmeans for initiating the actuation of the system.

For the sake of convenience, the invention will be described as beingincorporated in a cleaner associated with an air preheater of the type15 which includes vertically disposed tubes which open downwardlythrough a tube sheet. It will be apparent however, as the followingdescription proceeds that the inventive principles may be incorporatedin cleaning devices associated 20 with other types of fluid heaters.

Referring then particularly to the drawings wherein like referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout all views, the

numeral 20 designates generally an air preheater 25 of the vertical tubetype, this preheater having a lower tube sheet 2l through which thetubes 22 extend, these tubes opening downwardly below the tube sheet asclearly illustrated in Fig. 4 ofthe drawings. In accordance with theusual 30 practice, the tubes in each row are staggered with reference tothe tubes in adjacent rows and it constitutes a feature of thisinvention to provide a construction by which cleaning fluid may bedischarged into these tubes. 35

The cleaner comprises generally a blower-frame 23 which is mounted belowthe tube sheet for reciprocatory movement with respect thereto. Theframe includes transversely extending blower elements 25, 26, 21 and 28,and frame or brace 40 members such as the angle bars 29, which securethe blower elements together. The blower elements are arranged in pairswith the elements 21 and 28 parallel with but spaced from the elements25 and 26. 'I'he blower frame is slidably 45 supported on tracks and isadapted to travel one half the length ofthe tube sheet 2|.

The blower elements 25 and 28 are provided with upwardly extendingdischarge nozzles 35,

while the blower elements 26 and` 21 are provided 50 with angularlyarranged discharge nozzles 36, these latter nozzles terminating invertically disposed discharge ends aligned with the discharge ends ofthe adjacent nozzles 35. 'I'hus the blower elements 25 and 26 constituteone set of elements 56 with their discharge nozzles extending in a, lineacross the fluid heater, while the blower elements 21 and 28 constitutea second set with their discharge nozzles disposed in a continuous lineextending across the fluid-heater.

In order that the following description may. bc more readily followed.it might be noted that provision is made whereby the complete frameincluding all the blower elements is adapted to move from the right tothe left as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawings and vto then return toitsinitial position which is illustrated in this figure. During the travelfrom the right to the left, cleaning fluid is supplied to blowerelements 25 and 26 with the result that the left half of the tubes ofthe air heater are cleaned during this portion of the cycle ofoperation. On the return trip, that is during movement of the frame fromthe left to the right the supply of cleaning fluid to blower elements 25and 26, is cut off and cleaning fluid is supplied to blower elements 21and 28 with the result that the right hand half of the tubes of thefluid heater are cleaned, during this return travel of the frame. Themechanism for thus controlling the supply of cleaning fluid to theblower elements will now be described.

A main cleaning fluid supply pipe 48 extends through the fluid heater inthe direction of travel of the cleaner frame. Slidably supported on thispipe by the fluid-tight end closures 4I and 4i is a tube 42 whichprovides a supply chamber 43 surrounding the pipe 48. lPipe 48 isprovided with ports 44 which are so located that cleaning fluid willalways be admitted from the supply pipe to chamber 43. The tube 42 isadapted to slidev within a tube 45 and this tube in turn is adapted `fortelescopic movement in housing 46. A slot 41 in tube 45 cooperating witha pin 41a carried by housing 46, prevents withdrawal of the tube 45 fromhousing 46.

Communicating with the chamber 43 by way Vmain control valve.

The function of valve 52 is to cause cleaning fluid to be supplied toelements 25 and 26 during the' forward travel of the frame and to causecleaning fluid to be supplied to elements 21 and y 28 during the returntravel of the frame and blower elements. For this purpose valve 52 isprovided with discharge chambers 54 and 55, the former being connectedin a manner which will later be explained to the elements 21 and 26 andthe chamber 55 being connected by pipe 56 and through suitable mechanismwhich will later be explained, to blower elements 25 and 26.

Controlling communication between chamber 53 and either chamber 54 orchamber 55. is a valve member 51. for reciprocation in the valve 52 andinthe -position illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings providescommunication between inlet chamber 53 and outlet chamber 54. It will beobvious that reciprocation of the valve member to the left as viewed inFig. 6 will close communication between chambers 54 and 53 and opencommunication between chambers 53 and 55 whereby cleaning fluid will besupplied to pipe 56 and thus to blower elements 25 and 26.

The position of valve member 51 is dependent upon the direction oftravel oi' the blower frame end it is therefore expedient at this timeto refer This valve memberis mounted to the mechanism provided forcausing the blower frame to traverse the tube sheet, of the fluidheater. Journalled in suitable bearings carried by the fluid heater andextending parallel with the supply pipe 48 is a shaft 68 provided with athreaded portion 6I. Referring now to Fig'. 7, it will be noted thatthreaded on shaft 68 is a nut 62 which is mounted for limitedslidingmovement in a depending portion 63 of the valve 52. Fixed to theends of the nut 62 are brackets 64 which are adapted to engage thevdepending portion of the valve to cause the valve to travel with the nut62 whenthe nut travels longitudinally of the shaft 68 incident torotation of the latter. It is to be noted that the brackets `64 arespaced apart a sufficient distance to permit a limited movement of thenut 62 with reference to the valve 52. I y

Each bracket 64 is provided with an upstanding portion 65 and eachportion 65 carries alpin ,66 which is adapted for sliding movementthrough the adjacent end of the valve 52. These pins act on the valvemember as will now be described.

As viewed in Figs. 6 and 7, the blower frame is travelling to the rightwiththe result that 'the pin carried by the bracket at the left of thevalve 52 is projected into the valve and has moved the valve member to aposition where cleaning fluid i is supplied to discharge chamber 54.Should the parent that the initial reverse rotation 'if the` shaft willcause the nut 62 to move relative to the valve 52 causing the pincarried by the bracket at the right as viewed in Fig. 7 to move thevalve member to the left thus placing supply chamber 53 in communicationwith chamber .55. Further rotation of shaft 68 in the same directionwill then cause bracket 64 at the right to engage the depending portionof valve 62 thus causing the blower frame to be carried along with thenut 62. In order to balance the construction, there is preferablyprovided a second threaded shaft 61 which is rotated inv synchronismwith shaft 68. Threaded on shaft 61 is a nut 68 `which carries at itsends brackets 68 adapted to engage the base portion 18 of a member 1Iwhich is integral with or secured toa solid member 12 which is connectedto the fitting 58 as at 13. Additionally, tubes-14 preferably surroundthe threaded portions of shafts 68 andy 61 to protect the latter, thesetubesabeing carried by thenuts 62` and 68 as indicated in Fig. 2 of thedrawings.

In additionv to the means Just described vfor causing cleaning fluid tovbe suppliedto blower' elements 25 and 26 durlngtravel of the blowerframe in one direction and to blower elements 21 and 28 during ltravelof the frame in the other direction, .there is alsoprovided meanswhereby cleaning nuidis alternately .supplied to the blower elements ofeach set during travel of the blower frame. Thus for example, andconsidering blower elements 21 and 26, when the discharge nozzles. 35are aligned with vthe open, ends of the tubes 22 of one row, cleaningnuidis supplied to the blower `element 28. Wheny the blower frame moveshowever to the next row in which the tubes are staggered with referenceto the row Just cleaned and at which time the discharge nozzles 36 willbe aligned with the fluid heater tubes, the

supply of cleaning fluid to'blower element 28 willl be cut off andcleaning fluid will be supplied to blower element 21. To accomplish thisan auxiliary control means is associated vwith each of the sets ofblower elements but since these mechanisms are identical in constructionone only will be described in detail.

Referring first to Fig. 2 there is associated with each set of blowerelements what might be termed a transfer valve 15. As also indicated inFig. 2, the pipe 56 communicates with the transfer valve 15 associatedwith blower elements 25 and26, while as indicated in Fig. 4, aconnection 16 connects discharge chamber 54 with to the left from theposition shown in Fig. 8-

the transfer valve 15 associated with blower elements 21 and 28. l

The transfer valves are shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 8. Each valvecomprises a casing 60, this casing being rigidly connected to the blowerelements with which the valve is associated. The casing is divided intothree chambers, there bein`g an inlet chamber 6| and discharge chambers82 and 83. 'I'he discharge chamber 82 commu' nicates with blower element28 while discharge chamber 83 communicates with blower element 21.Mounted for reciprocation in the casing, is a valve member 84 adapted inthe position illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings to place the inletchamber 8| in communication with the discharge chamber 82 and adaptedwhenv moved to place the inlet chamber 8| in communication withdischarge chamber 83.

The reciprocation of valve member 84 is effectedl by the pressure of thecleaning fluid and is controlled by a suitable pilot valve illustratedin Figs. 6, 9 and 10. The pilot valve comprises a casing 85 formed witha bore 86 in which a valve plunger 81 is mounted for reciprocation.Discharge ports 88 are provided for the discharge of fluid underpressure from the bore 86 to the atmosphere or to any other suitablepoint of discharge.

Referring now again .to the transfer valve shown in Fig. 8, the valvemember 84 is substantially tubular but is dividedinteriorly by apartition 90. Ports 9| and 92 on opposite sides of this partition placethe chambers thus formed within the valve member in communication withthe inlet chamber 8|.

Carried by the valve casing 80 and projecting inwardly thereof, arebosses 93 and each boss is provided with an exhaust passage 94. Thesebosses are of such a size as to be slidably received within the chambersformed in the valve member 84, with the result that the fluid suppliedto the chambers in the valve member by the ports 9| and 92 may beexhausted by way of the passages 94.

One exhaust passage isasillustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings connectedby a conduit |00 to a bore I0| formed in the pilot valve, this borecommunicating with the chamber 86. The other exhaust passage 94 isconnected by a conduit |02 to a passage |03 formed in the pilot valve,this passage also communicating with chamber 86. By reference to Fig. 10of the drawings, it will be noted that vertical reciprocation of valveplunger of the valve housing.

For the purpose of actuating plunger valve 81 in the pilot valve thereis provided a cam rail |05,

which is suitably supported below the path of travel of the blower frameas clearly illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. This cam rail isprovided with high and low portions '|06 and |01 respectively, so thatas the pilot valve moves longitudinally of the cam rail with the blowerframe, the plunger 81 is reciprocated and' conduits |00 and |02 arealternately opened to the exhaust.

As thus far described, the operation of the construction is as follows.The blower frame comprising as it does the four blower elements suitablytied together by braces is at the beginning of the cycle of operation inthe position shown in Fig. 2. A complete cycle of operation consists inmoving the blower frame to the left from the position shown in Fig. 2until it has completely traversed the tube sheet and in then returningthe blower frame to its initial position. This move- 'ment of the blowerframe is effected by proper rotation of the shafts 60 and 61.

There is, as previously mentioned, a transfer and pilot valve associatedwith each two blower elements. During the outward travel of the blowerframe that is from the right to the left as lviewed in Fig. 2, valve 52is actuated to supply l cleaning fluid from chamber 43 to the transfervalve associated with blower elements 25 and 26. As the nozzles arealigned with the fluid heater tubes the transfer valve operates to admitcleaning fluid to blower element 25 so that the tubes with which thenozzles 35 are aligned are cleaned. As the blower frame moves forwardly,the pilot valve associated with the blower elements 25 and `26 effectsan actuation of its respective transfer 3` valve so that cleaning fluidis admitted to element 26 with the result that the nozzles 36, which arenow aligned with the tubes of the next row, discharge cleaning fluidinto these tubes.

When the blower element has reached the limit of its outward movement,the shafts 60 and 61 are reversely rotated and the blower frame startsits travel back to its initial position. Upon the reversing of thetravel of the blower frame, valve 52 is actuated so that cleaning fluidis supplied to the transfer valve associated with blower elements 21 and28 so that these blower elements clean the right hand half of the fluidheater during the return travel of the blower frame. The cam rails |05are of course so proportioned with reference to the spacing of tubes 22that only those nozzles aligned with the tubes are supplied withcleaning fluid. v For driving the shafts 60 and 61 to effect thedesiredtravel of the blower frame, there is provided a reversing motorIIO. This motor drives through a suitable chain ill, a sprocket |l2secured to the shaft 60. A second sprocket ||3 on shaft 60 is connectedby means of a chain 4 to a sprocket I5 on shaft 61, whereby the twoshafts are operated in synchronism. If desired, a suitable hand crank I6connected to the shaft 61 by sprocket chain |1 may be provided foroperating the blowerframe in the event of failure of power. The motor l0is controlled by a magnetic switch designated generally by the referencecharacter |20. 'I'he switch |20 is 'in turn controlled by switches |2Iand |22, the former causing the magnetic reversing switch to reverse themotor to start the return movement of the blower frame and the lattercausing the switch |20 to cut off the supply of current to the electricmotor to thus terminate movement of the blower 'frame when the latterreaches its initial position.

'I'he switches |2| and |22 are detachably secured to the edge of aquadrant-shaped plate |23. Mounted to move yover this plate and arrangedto engage the-switches |2| and |22l at the limits of its movement, is apointer |24 which is actuated from the shaft 60 in a manner which willlater be described. It might'be noted that the switches |2| and |22 arepreferably adjustable toward and away from each other so that the extentof movement of the blower'frame may be varied and that additionally thequadrant-shaped plate may bel provided with indicia |25 to facilitatethe proper setting of the switches 2| and |22.

The pointer |24 is secured to an arm` |26 which projects into a housing|21. The shaft 60 is extended through housing |21 and is provided withinthe housing with an elongated gear |30 adapted to mesh with and drivegears |3| and |32. Gear |3| is fixed to and drives a shaft |33 which issuitably journalledin housing |21 and this shaft has its outer surfacethreaded as indicated by the reference character |34.

Gear |32 has a hub lwhich is threaded to engage the threads |34 andadditionally the hub' of gear |32 is provided with a groove |35 toreceive a yoke |36 which is attached to the end of an arm |31 securedtothe shaft |26.

As the shaft 60 rotates, it drives shaft |33 by virtue of the engagementof gears |30 and |3|. Gear |32 is also driven by gear |30, but gears |3|and |32 have an; unequal number of teeth with the result that gear |32is rotated on shaft |33. This rotation of gear |32 lrelative to shaft|33 causes gear |32 to travel longitudinallyof shaft |33 thus effectingan actuation of an arm |31 and pointer |24. `The parts'are soproportioned that the pointerl moves from; one switch -to the otherduring rrioveme'ntv ofthe blower frame across the tube sheet.

For controlling theadmissionrof cleaning uid to pipe 40, there isprovided a main control valve |40. Actuation of this valve iscontrolledv by a solenoid |4| which is so connected in the circuit ofthe motor ||0 that whenever the motor is energized, valve |40 isopened.. While the solenoid may control the valve in any manner, it isshown as being adapted to vent a chamber |42 wherebyv piston |43 whichis connected to the .valve may be moved upwardly by the pressure ofthecleaning fluid, thus opening valve |40. When the solenoid 4| isde-energized pressure builds up in chamber |42 and cooperates' with' theforce of spring |44 to close valve |40.

The magnetic reversingswitch may be of any desired character insofar asit so controls the motor as to effect the movement of the blower framewhich has previously been described; 'By way of example, one manner inwhich the circuits of the switch may bev arranged vis illustrated inFig. 15 wherein reference characters |45, |46

and |41 designate the power supply lines adapted to be connected by asuitable switch |46 to the lines |49, |50 and |5|. Line |5| is connecteddi'. rectly to the motor ||0, while lines |49 and |50 are connected tosuitable terminals under the control of solenoid actuated bridgecontacts |52 and |53.

The circuit includes the previously mentioned switches |2| and |22, thelatter including contacts |55 and |56 and the formervincludingrelatively movable contacts |51, |53 and |53. The circuit also includesa normally closed manually operable switch |60 and self opening switches|6| and |62, which may be momentarily closed for a purpose which willlater become apparent. When the blower frame is fully retracted, that fis moved an the way to the right as viewed in Fig. 2, arm |24 will be inengagement with contact |55, and will break the circuit between thiscontact and contact |56. switch |62 is momentarily closed, current willflow from line AI4!! through line |10, line |1|, closed switch |60,switch |62, line |12, coil |13 and back to line |50. This will energizecoil |13 causing bridge contact |53 to close the circuit to the motor I0which will cause the blower frame to move toward the left as viewed inFig. 3.

As soon as the blower frame starts its movement, it will be apparentthat arm |24 will be Vmoved out of engagement with contact |55 so thatthis contact may again engage contact |55 as illustrated. Switch |62 maynow be released since current will flow from line |50 through coil |13to line |12 and then through switch |15, lwhich is closed upon actuationof bridge contact |53, and from switch |15 through contacts |51 and |56and then through contacts |56 'and |55 and back through closed switch|60 to line |46.

The forward movement of the blower frame will continue until arm |24moves contact |53 out of engagement with contact |51 and into engagementwith contact |59, whereupon the motor circuit will be reversed. Thiswill be eected byvirtue of the ilow of current from line |50 throughcoil |16, line |11. contacts |50 and |56 of switch |2| then throughswitch |22, then through switch |60 and back to line |49. Assoon as theblower frame starts its reverse travel, contact |50 moves back intoengagement with contact |51 and current now flows from line |50 throughcoil |16, through switch |10 which is closed upon closing of bridgecontact v|52 by energization of coil |16 and from switch |18 throughswitch |22, closed switch |60 back to line |49.v Obviously, the returnmovement of the blower frame will continue until arm |24 again breaksthe lcircuit between contacts |55 and |56 whereupon the operation of themotor will be terminated.v

A s previously mentioned, the solenoid |4| which, controls the actuationof valve |40 is connected tothe motor circuit so that when the motor isoperated and the blower frame is being moved, cleaning iiuid will vbesupplied to the blower nozzles.` The operation of the blower frame canbe reversed at anytime during its forward movement by l opening switch|60 to de-energize coil 13 and by then closing this switch andmomentarily closing switch |6| which accomplishes the same result as themomentary closing of contacts |50 and |56.

It might be noted that during the travel of lthe blower frame to theleft, the tube |42 slides through the sleeve 45 and insert 45 which isfixed to sleeve 45 until fitting 50 engages the end of tube 45 forcingthis tube into the housing 46. On vthe return stroke, tube 42 slidesthrough sleeve 45* until the flange 4|'A engages sleeve 45* and drawsthe tube 45 outwardly to substantially the position shown in Fig. 5.

From the above it is believed lthat the general operation of the cleanerwill be readily understood. With the blower in its normal position, thepush button switch |62- may be momentarily closed and this will e'ect anopening of the main control valve |40 and will start the actuation ofthemotor ||0. The blower frame will be moved outwardly or to the left andduring this outward travel cleaning fluid will be supplied to blowerelements 25 and 26 whereby the If now the starting left hand part of thefluid heater as viewed in Fig. 3 will be cleaned.

After the blower frame has reached the limit of its outward movement,the motor |I is automatically reversed and the blower frame movedcleaning fluid to the blower elements -will be cut off necessitating afurther momentary actuation of switch |62 to effect another cycle ofoperation.

In Fig. 16 a slight modication of the main control means is illustratedas comprising a main valve |40, which is adapted to be manually openedby hand wheel |80. Beyond the main valve |40, there is tapped into thesupply pipe 40 a conduit |8| which supplies uid under pressure to apressure actuated switch designated generally by the reference character|82.

The pressure actuated switch |82 functions in a manner similar to switch|62 to start the actuation of the motor which moves the blower frame andthe manner in which this may be effected isv diagrammaticallyillustrated in Fig. 17. It will be noted that the circuit utilized ispractically identical with that shown in Fig. l5, there being however,added to the circuit a contact |90 which is connected to line |12. Theswitch |82 is located in the line I9| which connects the contact |55 tothe switches |60, IBI and |628.

When pressure builds up sufficiently to close switch |82, current flowsfrom line |49 through line I'H, closed switch |60, switch |82, tocontact |5521.` It will be understood that with the blower frame in itsretracted position, contact |55 will be in engagement with contact |90,so that current will ow from this contact through line |12, coil |13 toline |50. As the blower frame starts to move outwardly this circuitwillv be broken but the circuit to the motor will be maintained inthemanner previously described.

Upon the return of the blower frame to its original position, contact|55 will again be moved into engagement with contact |90 so that themotor willagain be reversed if the pressure switch |82 is still closed.'I'hus the blower frame will continue to reciprocate until the valve |40is closed.

If desired, a suitable alarm may be connected in parallel with thecontacts 55 and |90, so that each time these contacts are closed thealarm is actuated to indicate that the blower frame has returned to itsoriginal position so that the operator may, if he so desires, cut 0E thesupply of cleaning fluid to the blower frame.

While the invention has been described with some detail, it is to beclearly understood that the description is for the purposes ofillustration only and is not definitive oi.' the limits of the inventiveidea. The right is reserved tovmake such changes in the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts as will fall within the purview ofthe attached claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a iuid heater cleaner, a plurality of blower elements, means formoving all of said elements in a direction normal to their longitudinalaxes and as a unit with reference to portions of the :duid y'heater tobe cleaned, and means operating in dependence upon the movement of saidblower elements to limit the supply of cleaning uid to one of saidblower elements at a time.

2. In a iluid heater cleaner, a plurality of blower elements fixedagainst movement with respect to each other, means for reciprocatingsaid blower elements in a direction normal to their longitudinal axes,and means controlled by the movement of said blower elements forlimiting the supply of cleaning iluid to one of said blower elements ata time.

3. In a duid heater cleaner, a pair of blowerl elements, means formoving said blower elements in a direction normal to their longitudinalaxes and as -a unit with reference to portions of the iluid heater to becleaned. and means operating to alternately supply cleaning uid to saidblower elements.

4. In a `fluid heater cleaner, a pair of blower elements, means formoving said blower elements in a direction normal to their longitudinalaxes and as a unit with reference to portions of the fluid heater to becleaned, a valve controlling the ilow of cleaning iluid to said blowerelements, and

means controlled by the movement of the blower elements for so actuatingsaid valve that cleaning uid is ysupplied to only one of said elementsat a time.

5. In a uid heater cleaner, a pair of blower elements, means for movingsaid blower elements in a direction normal to their longitudinal axesand as a unit with reference to portions of a fluid heater to becleaned, and means controlled by the movement of said blower elementsoperating to alternately admit iluid to said blower elements.

6. In a uid heater cleaner, a blower frame including two setsof blowerelements,` means for reciprocating said blower frame, and meansoperating to supply cleaning uid to one set of blower elements duringmovement ot the blower frame in one direction and to the other set ofblower elements during movement of the blower frame in the oppositedirection.

7. In a uid heater cleaner, a blower frame including two sets of blowerelements, means for moving said frame with reference to portions of thefluid heater to be cleaned, and means controlled bysaid moving means foradmitting cleaning fluid to one set of blower elements during movementof the blower frame in one direction and to the other set of blowerelements during movement of the frame in the opposite direction.

8. In a fluid heater cleaner, a blower frame including two pairs ofblower elements, means for elements, means for reciprocating said pairsof blower elements as a unit to cause the same to travel back and forthacross the fluid heater, the pairs of blower elements being so spacedthat during said reciprocation one pair of blower elements traverses onehalf oi' the iluid heater while the other pair of blower elementstraverses the other half of the iluid heater, means controlled by thereciprocating means for admitting cleaning fluid VYto one pair of blowerelements during movement of all the blower elements in one direction andto the other pair of blower elements during movement of the blowerelements in the other direction, and means associated with each pair oi'blower elements for alternately admitting cleaning fluid to the elementsof the pair during the interval of supply of cleaning fluid thereto.

10. In a fluid heater cleaner, a blower frame, including two pairs ofblower elements, means for reciprocating said frame to cause the same totravel back and forth across theiluid heater, the pairs of blowerelements being so spaced that during said reciprocation one pair oi'blower elements is adapted to discharge cleaning fluid into one half ofthe uid heater w'nile the other pair of blower elements is adapted todischarge cleaning fluid into the other half of the fluid heater, avalve operating upon reciprocation of said blower frame to admitcleaning fluid to one pair of blower elements during movement of saidframe in one direction and to the other pair of said blower elementsduring movement of the blower frame in the other direction, a transfervalve associated with eachpair of blower elements for controlling theadmission of cleaning fluid to the same and means controlled by themovement of the blower elements for so actuating said transfer valvesthat cleaning uid is alternately supplied to the blower elements of apair during the interval o! supply of cleaning iiuid to the pair.

1l. In a fluid heater cleaner, a pair of blower elements fixed inparallel relation with respect to each other, discharge nozzles carriedby said blower elements, the discharge nozzles of one of said elementsbeing bent to 'lie in the plane of the discharge nozzles of the otherelement, means for moving said blower elements in a direction normal totheir longitudinal axes, and a trans-v fer valve associated with saidelements operable during movement thereof to admit cleaning fluidalternately to said elements.

12. In a fluid heater cleaner, a pair of blower elements xed in parallelrelation with respect to each other, discharge nozzles carried by saidblower elements, the discharge nonies of one of said elements being bentto lie in the plane of the discharge nozzles of the other element, meansfor moving said ,blower elements in a direction normal to theirlongitudinal axes, a transfer valve associated with said elementsoperable during movement thereof to admit cleaning duid alternately tosaid elements, and a pilot valve controlling the actuation of saidtransfer valve.

v 13. In a fluid heater cleaner, a pair of blower Y elements nxed inparallel relation with respect to each other, discharge nozzles carriedby said blower elements, the discharge nozzles oi.' one of trol the owof cleaning uid thereto, a pilot valve controlling the actuation of saidtransfer valve, and means including a cam rail disposed adjacent thepath of reciprocation of said blower elements for actuating said pilotvalve.

14. In a fluid heater cleaner, a blower frame including two pairs ofblower elements, means for reciprocating 'said blower frame to cause thesame to travel back and forth across the fluid heater, means controllingsaid reciprocating means to limit the reciprocatory movement of theblower frame, a source of cleaning iluid, a main valve controlling theflow of cleaning duid from the source to the blower elements, and meansfor controlling the actuation of the main valve in dependence upon theactuation of said reciprocating means.

15.In a device for discharging cleaning fluid into openings arranged inrows with the openings in one row staggered with reference to theopenings in adjacent rows, a blower frame comprising two pairs of blowerelements, one blower element of each pair having nozzles adapted toregister with the openings in alternate rows and the other blowerelement of each pair having nozzles adapted-to register with'theopenings in the remaining rows, means for reciprocating said blowerframe, means for admitting cleaning fluid to one pair of blower elementsduring a portion of the reciprocation of the blower frame and to theother pair of blower elements during the remaining portion of thereciprocationof the blower frame, and means associated with each pair ofblower elements for alternately admitting cleaning fluid to the sameduring the interval of supply of cleaning fluid thereto. y

16. In a cleaner for an air heater having a plurality of tubes openingthrough a tube sheet, said tubes being arranged in rows with the tubesin each row staggered relative to the tubes in adjacent rows, a blowerframe comprising two pairs of blower elements, one blower element ofeach pair having nozzles adapted to register with the tube openings inalternate .rows and the otherlblower element of each pair having nozzlesadapted Ato register with the tube openings in the remaining rows, meansfor reciprocating said vblower frame to cause the'same to travel backand forth across the air heater, the pairs of blower elements being sospaced that during said reciprocation the nozzles of one' pair move pastthe open ends of half of the rows of tubes while the nozzles of theother pair move past the open ends of the tubes inthe remaining rows,and means controlling said reciprocating means operating to limit thereciprocatory movement of the blower frame and to terminate the movementof the lblower frame after onel complete'reciprocatory 'pairs of blowerelements, one blower element of eachA pair having nozzles adapted toregister 'with the tube openings in alternate rows and the other blowerelement of each pair having nozzles adapted to register with'the tubeopenings in the remaining rows, means for reciprocating said blowerframe to cause the same to travel back and forth across the air heater,the' pairs of blower elements being so spaced that during saidreciprocation the nozzles 'of one pair move past the open ends of halfof the rows ofy tubes while the nozzles of the other pair move past theopen ends of the tubes in the remaining rows, means controlling saidreciprocating means to limit the reciprocatory movement of the blower`frame, a main valve controlling the flow of cleaning iluid from a sourceof cleaning fluid supply to a main supply chamber, a second valvecontrolling the ilow of cleaning uid from said chamber to said pairs ofblower elements, and a transfer valve associated with each pair ofblower elements operating to supply cleaning duid alternately to theelements oi' each pair.

18. In a cleaner for an air heater having a plurality of tubes openingthrough a tube sheet,

said tubes being arranged in rows with the tubesv in each row staggeredrelative to the tubes in adjacent rows, a blower frame comprising twopairs of blower elements, one blower element of each pair having nozzlesadapted to register with the tube openings in alternate rows and theother blower element of each pair having nozzles adapted to registerwith the tube openings in the remaining rows, means for reciprocatingsaid blower frame to cause the same to travel back and forth across theair heater,`the pairs of blower elements being so spaced that duringsaid reciprocation the nozzles ofone pair move past the open ends ofhalf of the rows of tubes while the nozzles of the other pair move pastthe open ends of the tubes in the remaining rows, a main valve forcontrolling the flow of cleaning fluid to said blower elements, andmeans operating upon the operation of said main Valve to start theactuation of said reciprocating means.

19. In a cleaner for an air heat/er having a plurality of tubes openingthrough a tube sheet, said tubes being arranged in Arows with the tubesin each row staggered relative to the tubes in adjacent rows, a blowerframe comprising twol pairs of blowerelements, one blower element ofeach pair having nozzles adapted to register with the tube openings inalternate rows and the other blower element of each pair having nozzlesadapted to register with the tube openings in the remaining rows, meansfor reciprocating said blower frame to cause the same to travel back andforth across the air heater, the pairs of blower elements being sospaced that during said reciprocation the nozzles of one pair move pastthe open ends of half of the rows of tubes while the nozzles of theother pair move past the open ends of the tubes in the remaining rows,means controlling said reciprocating means to limit the reciprocatorymovement of the blower frame, a source of supply of cleaning fluid, amain valve controlling the flow of cleaning fluid from said source ofsupply to a main supply chamber, a

second valve controlling the ilow of cleaning fluid from said' chamberto said pairs of blower elements, means controlled by said reciprocatingmeans so actuating said second valve as to supply cleaning fluid to onepair of blower elements during movement of the blower frame in onedirection and to the other pair of blower elements during movement ofthe blower frame in the other direction, a transfer valve associatedwith each pair of blower elements operating to supply cleaning fluidalternately to the elements of its respective pair, a pilot valveassociated with each transfer Valve to control the actuation thereof,and means actuating said pilot valves in dependence upon the movement ofthe blower frame.

20. In a uid heater cleaner, blower elements arranged in parallel spacedrelation to each other, means for reciprocating said blower elements asa unit tocause the same to travel back and forth across the fluidheater, and means controlled by the reciprocating means for admittingcleaning fluid to one of said blower elements during movement of theblower elements in one direction and to another of the blower elementsduring movement of the blower elements in the opposite direction.

21. In a fluid heater cleaner, a pair of blower elements fixed inparallel relation with respect to each other, discharge nozzles carriedby said blower elements, means for moving said blower elements in adirection normal to their longitudinal axes, and means operating uponmovement of the blower elements to admit cleaning fluid alternately tosaid blower elements.

22. In a fluid heater cleaner, a pair of blower elements fixed inparallel relation with respect each other, discharge nozzles carried bysaid blower elements, means for moving said blo-wer elements in adirection normal to their longitudinal axes, and a pressure actuatedtransfer valve asscciated with said blower elements and operable duringmovement thereof to admit cleaning fluid alternately to said elements.

23. In a fluid heater cleaner, a plurality of blower elements xedagainst movement with respect to each other, means for effecting atravel of said blower elements as a unit with reference to portions ofthe fluid heater to be cleaned, and means controlled by the movement ofsaid blower elements for limiting the supply of cleaning fluid to one ofsaid blower elements at a time.

24. In a fluid heater cleaner, a pair of blower elements, means foreffecting a travel of said blower elements as a unit with reference toportions of the fluid heater to be cleaned, and means controlled bymovement of said blower elements operating to alternately supplycleaning fluid to said blower elements.

FRANK BOWERS.

